Giuliani Cashes in Chit on Kerik

The New York Daily News puts Bernie Kerik's appointment as Homeland Security Chief in perspective: Rudy called in a chit.

"Rudy cashed in a chip on this one," said a White House source, who earlier this week predicted there was "no way" Kerik could land a cabinet-level job in the Bush administration.

Kerik was police commissioner under Rudy and then went to work for Giuliani and Partners, Rudy's consulting firm. What's a little more surprising is that Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer and even former NY police commissioner and Rudy foe Bill Bratton are supporting Kerik's nomination.

Rudy and Judith Giuliani still haven’t found a Hamptons house, but not for lack of trying. Sources say they spent a recent weekend touring houses in the $3 million range, mostly north of the highway in Water Mill.

They were also spotted viewing a $3.3 million house on Pond Lane in Southampton, which is closer to the beach. “East Hampton is too far for them,” says an insider, adding that they stopped for lunch at Bridgehampton’s Candy Kitchen. Until they move into a new nest, they’re still staying in Judith’s relatively humble Noyack condo, where the former mayor cooled his heels the summer after his public split with Donna Hanover. Over the past two years, the couple has toured about 60 East End houses, including a $1.5 million–plus estate in Sag Harbor last summer.

East End spies report that the couple house-hunts in a relatively conspicuous arrangement: Judi often rides with the broker in one car, while Rudy follows in a sedan with two armed guards. Settling down in Manhattan was significantly more simple: Two years ago, they bought a nine-room $5.25 million prewar co-op on the Upper East Side.